Want sustainability communications that are talk of the town, or at the very least, talk of the office? Well look no further, we have put together our five top tips for sustainability communications that will keep your green agenda on the tip of every employee’s tongue! But first, why bother?
The why:
Improving internal business communications around sustainability is a key way to ensure your employees are engaged in your sustainability mission and know how they can take action to support it. Not only this, taking time to communicate about sustainability shows employees that they work at a value driven organisation, something which is increasingly important in today’s job market.
1. Set clear goals and objectives
Define what sustainability means for your organisation and create clear goals and objectives that support these values. These goals and objectives should be communicated to all employees, along with how they can play a role in achieving them, or go one step further by adding an achievable sustainability goal to every employee’s performance targets.
2. Foster open communication
Communication is a two-way process. Encourage open, honest communication about sustainability issues and initiatives. This can be achieved through regular town hall meetings, email updates, and company-wide forums for discussion. Allowing your employees to have a say in your sustainability goals will give them a sense of ownership over them, which helps them to feel like a part of the solution, and helps you reach your goals faster!
3. Make it accessible
Not everyone is going to start at the same level, so it’s important you make your sustainability communications accessible. Use terms that make things visual, for example:
- In 2022, Jump sustainability engagement programmes avoided 5,166,925 kilograms of C02e – that’s the equivalent of the carbon emissions generated by charging 628,518,430 smartphones!
or
- Jump sustainability engagement programmes have 71,295 users – that number would fill roughly 1,188 London double decker buses! (See our Impact Report 2022 for more)
To try and get everyone on a level playing field, you can also provide training and education opportunities for employees to learn about sustainability issues and how they can contribute to the company’s efforts. This can include workshops, webinars, and e-learning courses.
4. Make it fun
Who says sustainability initiatives must be boring? Inject some fun into your sustainability communications with gamification. Keep track of what departments are having the most sustainability wins, shout about it, and then pit them against their colleagues! Ensure that the winners receive a prize for their efforts, even if it’s just a tokenistic symbol of glory – make it something you and your colleagues would find fun and a source of conversation.
5. Lead by example
Finally, lead by example. Ensure that senior management and leadership are actively engaged in sustainability initiatives and communicating the importance of sustainability to the rest of the organization. You can set separate rewards for department leaders with the most engaged team, to ensure they are incentivised to get their people in the sustainable spirit!
By implementing these strategies, you can create a culture of sustainability and improve internal communications around environmental and social responsibility. This not only benefits the planet, but it can also increase employee engagement, improve brand reputation, and drive long-term business success. Don’t feel like you have the time to put these tips to the test? We’ve got you covered, Jump provide sustainability engagement and communications programmes for busy organisations of all shapes and sizes. Request a demo to find out more!
